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Sunday, 28 December 2014

Alhamdulillaah Maimoonah's reading is going on well and she is able to sit for hours reading a book until she is asked to do something else. Giving her the right reading materials has indeed become a major challenge for me and inshaa Allaah I will write about it on a separate post soon.

While seeing her read so much I was pondering over few issues about her reading skills. Does she really understand what she reads? Is she reading for pleasure or is she really learning something? Does she get the message or core information of the book? How is her comprehension? Is she able to put out what she got out of that book? Does she understand what she needs to look into and pay attention to while reading a book to get the maximum benefit?

If she is to read a book from the Ulama (scholars) or even a book on the seerah is she able to note down the benefits she has got out of the book? Most importantly when she reads the tafseer of the Qur'aan does she really able to comprehend what Allaah says and does she get the message?

She does talk to me very informally about books she read and relate to me information that she has read, but I have really not made it a point to sit and ask her about each book nor have I given that amount of time sitting and discussing a book in a very formal way. I figured she does have a good command of the language and does have the comprehension but was not too sure if I am directing her correctly with regard to all of my above questions.

This led me to talk to a sister who is a qualified English teacher and in fact uses the techniques to get the child think and make the child understand what he or she should look into a book to get the best out of it. So she was willing to start an Enhancing Reading Skills weekly class at the QMuslimah Children's Library.

We have had few classes so far. We gave each child a notebook, folder, pencil and an eraser.

The sister started with something very interesting. She introduced "Title" "Illustration", "Author" "Narrator" all by giving the kids a task. The task was "You have done well and made your mom happy. She wants to give you a gift and she has asked you to choose a book from a store." How would you do this?"

So each child came up with different answers. To make it short she then explained the importance of a Title in the book. She displayed different titles and asked the kids what they thought about the contents of the book by just reading the title. She also gave them a title and asked them to write all what they thought about the book. she used this book and had a an interesting discussion with the kids.

Before reading the book she asked the kids to think what the book would contain? Then she read part of the book and asked each kid questions like Who are the characters in the book, what are the personalities of each of them, what was the setting, and so on...

The next classes included talking about description and descriptive words, parts of a story such as setting, beginning, build up, conflict, climax, resolution, ending, characterising and mood. The sister also reads a story at each class and asks questions from them and makes them attentive listeners and stresses the importance of paying heed to details while reading. She also continued with reading part of the Story from the book "Who Knows" and stopped before the resolution and asked the kids to come up with their own resolutions. After discussing she read them the author's resolution and ended with "Only Allaah knows Everything" including the Story of Moosa alaihisslaam and Khidr.

Now they are learning how to write a story with a message.

This is how the classes are going so far. I have not penned down every detail here but wanted to keep a record of when we started these classes and what really led me to it.

When I witnessed these classes I thought to myself I really do not give so much of time for Maimoonah on these aspects. And this was just an excellent opportunity for me to get her into thinking and most importantly learn something from another sister who I trust would do her best in sticking to the same principles I hold and connecting all what she teaches back to Allaah and His messenger.

Apart from this Maimoonah is now learning to understand how she should be in a group class. The sister is also teaching her how she should focus on what she needs to do in a class even though she may get distracted by others. All the kids in the class are nice children but all are school going children except Maimoonah, therefore she is facing some challenges but is enjoying the company Alhamdulillaah.

As we go on I will update on the progress Inshaa Allaah. I hope to use these learnt skill and start something with Maimoonah in the near future after I settle with few issues which will be learning to write down benefits from listening to lectures of the Ulama and reading the books of the Ulama. I want to give her a notebook and make her listen to one 30 minutes lecture and ask her to write down just few benefits from the lecture she heard. This way she would slowly learn to take notes and understand the benefits Inshaa Allaah.

I have not updated our study on Usooluth Thalaathah and Important lessons for Every Muslim for sometime due to time constraints but she is learning to do the scrap booking by herself and we have done a lot even though going slow Alhamdulillaah. I presume these skills that she is learning would enhance the scrapbooking of these two books as well Inshaa Allaah.

Hope this would benefit other sisters too in some way. You are welcome to share your thoughts on this by leaving a comment and would love to hear what you think about this!

Saturday, 20 December 2014

Alhamdulillaah we had a special workshop for our girls homeschoolers and non homeschoolers today and it was such a wonderful experience Maashaa Allaah! We got to know from here, a professional Art Community called MAPS in Doha was offering some nice casual classes. We approached them and asked them to do a special class for us and they readily accepted.

The girls learnt the very basics of silk painting, techniques, methods, and they also did a craft to take home.

First they selected a design on a frame and sprayed water and started off by painting the background. Then they all were taught how to use the stone salt on the panting.

They were taught step by step how to paint the design, dry them and also how to remove the masterpiece at the end. They also provide the girls with notes on the techniques and steps of silk painting.

The girls got a small snack during a break and also had a draw and one of the girls won a silk painted cushion.

These are the final products of the kids,

Maimoonah was happy and liked her work. This is her's and we are planning of making a cushion for her using her silk painting Inshaa Allaah!

All in all the workshop was conducted in a very professional manner, all materials were provided and they catered to our needs like not drawing or painting figures with souls and provided a very comfortable environment for the girls. We thank Rashmi Agrawal the president of the art community and Natasa the instructor for a job well done with the girls. Looking forward to many more classes inshaa Allaah!

They are ever ready to arrange any such classes for any group of kids or adults. So contact Rashmi if you need to arrange a class or or course on Tel: +974 5560 3845,

e-mail: info@mapsqatar.org, rashmigold@yahoo.com

These out of home classes are making a big difference for Maimoonah these days as she is growing and needs some challenging changes I guess. To be able to participate in something like Enhancing a skill out of home in a proper environment is indeed a blessing for us homeschoolers! There are many arts and crafts classes and workshops happening around Doha, if you are living in Qatar, keep checking this page for updates on Arts and Crafts Classes and Workshops and choose a suitable one for your kids!

Saturday, 29 November 2014

Last week we had the 3rd class. Alhamdulillaah we have completed "Knowing Your Religion" and went on to "Knowing Your Prophet" in Al Waajibaat. Al Waajibaat book could be purchased at Taalib Al Ilm Educational Service here

The children learnt the full name of our Prophet sallaahu alahiwasallam with his lineage. They also learnt the 5 matters we should know with regard to the Prophet and learnt in detail the first matter "his lineage". We discussed about the Arabs, Ismaaeel and Ibraheem alahissalaam, the different 5 names of the Messenger of Allaah. Children also completed the worksheet.

Please note, There is printing error in this document with regard to the name of the Prophet as ibn Abdullaah is missing, we corrected and gave the kids, pic was taken before correction

We continued with Tahaarah and started with the Chapter of entering the places where one relieves one's self. The first hadeeth talks about what to say when entering the khalaa - the places of relieving one's self. The kids learnt the duaa and the benefits of the hadeeth and were asked to complete the worksheet.

This week the kids had to use the skills they were taught for the last two lessons in cutting and make their own healthy Salad. They were given a recipe and put into different groups supervised by us.

Then they were taught how to peel, grate and cut and make the salad.

They all really enjoyed and tasted their healthy salad. I forgot to take a picture of the salad they made! It was yummy! Alhamdulillaah!

At the second class of the Tarbiyah Girls Club we covered the last part of Knowing your religion in Al Waajibaat, Al Baraa from Shirk and its people. We spoke about Baraa - dissociation and the opposite of it - association. We discussed the story of Ibraaheem alahissalaam and lessons to learn from it with regard to al baaraa. And talked about examples of Al walaa for the muslims.

Then we continued with Al Adab Al Mufrad next hadeeth talking about the worse of the Major sins connecting to disobedience to parents. We also asked the kids to write down how each one of them experienced 5 situations of obeying and disobeying their parents. After they wrote we discussed how many times they obeyed and how many times they disobeyed. We spoke about how they feel now with situations of disobedience and all were saying they feel they should not have disobeyed. So we encouraged them to remember what they learn and put into action while dealing with parents.

For homemaking skills the kids were divided into groups and each child got her own cutting board, knife, and tomatoes and cucumbers. The lesson was learning to cut.

The kids were taught knife safety and how to pass around the knife emphasising to put the knife down. They were also taught what to do if the knife accidently falls, they demonstrated moving away.

They washed their hands and then learnt how to hold the knife.

Then they were asked to cut and chop the tomatoes and cucumbers using the different chopping and cutting methods they learnt.

Girls had fun and really learnt the whole procedure well. The sister puts in lot of planning and organization for these homemaking lessons and our kids are really benefitting bi idhnillaah. May Allaah bless her and her family for opening her house for these classes and arranging everything well in advance. Aameen.

Alhamdulillaah we resumed the Tarbiyah Girls Club few weeks ago. We have gone to level 2 and we hope to conclude this level just before Ramadhaan Inshaa Allaah.

We have 12 girls this time most of them are from the last batch and few new older girls Alhamdulillaah.

We are following the same books such as Al Waajibaat, book of Tahaarah explanation of Umdatul Ahkaam, Adab Al Mufrad and the Great Women of Islaam. For home making we have an organized curriculum this time thanks to the sister who is taking in charge of the whole subject, where kids learn a skill from scratch and is given training on it and tested as well.

So the first class was all about getting to know each other and revision. Reminding the kids about Khutbatul Hajjah, manners of the students, The three fundamental principles and going through some of the aspects of Tahaarah. We discussed about the sahaabah, the Ummahaathul Mu'mineen and why they are our role models.

As a revision the girls were asked to design a poster on "Knowing Your Lord through His Signs" and they presented their work.

And the sister started the Homemaking with Knife and cutting skills. She taught them the different kinds of knives used for different cutting purposes, knife safety, how to handle a knife and what are the different ways to cut.

The kids were also asked to lebel the parts of a knife.

Then she demonstrated the different cutting methods such as rock chop, tap chop etc.

The first class was only watching and learning and at the next class they had their practical lesson.

Thursday, 27 November 2014

Alhamdulillaah we have yet again ended a successful giveaway! My sincere thanks to Taalib Al Ilm Educational Resources one family that I hold dear to my heart and love for the sake of Allaah alone, for collaborating with me to host this valuable giveaway.

I thank each and every one of you who entered the giveaway and shared the posts and appreciate your continuous support. Jazzaakumullaah Khayr.

Before announcing the winner I would like all of you to read the naseehah that our brother Abu Sukhailah of Taalib Al Ilm Educational Resources readily shared on my request to gain benefit first for myself and for others.

All praise is due to Allaah alone, may the praise and salutations of Allaah be upon the Messenger of Allaah.

At the conclusion of this “Everyday Arabic Series 1” Book giveaway, it was suggested that I offer a beneficial word to my brothers and sisters in Islaam. Especially one directed towards those striving to fulfill the obligation of educating their children upon Islaam through homeschooling. So perhaps what is most suitable is a short reminder about the goal and meaning of education as found in the words of our scholars.

It is important to point out what is intended by “educate” as indeed this word means different things to different people. The guiding Imaam Sheikh al-Albaanee, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said :

“As for the other obligation, then I intend by this the education of the young generation upon Islaam purified from all of those impurities we have mentioned, giving them a correct Islamic education from their very earliest years, without any influence of a foreign, disbelieving education.” (Silsilat al-Hadeeth ad-Da’eefah, Introduction page 2.)

Without doubt this goal of true sound education upon Islaam is that of most Muslim homeschoolers including my own household. And we ask Allaah for success in that. So we should remember what the noble younger scholar Sheikh Khaalid Ibn Muhammad Ibn ‘Uthmaan, may Allaah preserve him, reminds us of:

“...It is upon the Muslim fathers to remember and recall the statement of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, ﴾Oh you who believe! Ward off yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, over which are appointed angels stern and severe, who disobey not, from executing the Commands they receive from Allaah, but do that which they are commanded.﴿ –(Surat Tahreem: 6)

This verse is a command of obligation from the One we worship, the Wise, the Self Sufficient, to protect and safeguard ourselves as individuals, as well as to protect and safeguard those whom He the Most High has entrusted to us-those we have been made responsible for - meaning our wives and children, from the fire of Hell.

Then He, the Exalted above any imperfections, gave us a brief clarifying glimpse at the severity of punishment of the fires of Hell, and the severity of those of His creation He, the High and Exalted, has made responsible for delivering its punishment, meaning His mighty angels. As perhaps this will push and drive us to establish and complete this essential obligation of safeguarding them, and so that we are not careless about it nor neglect it.

So if we are absolutely sure and clear about this matter of the punishment of Hellfire, then it is upon us to know with certainty that the first and foremost cause of protection from the punishment of Allaah is the matter of truly worshiping Him alone without any partners. And that due to this, to know that teaching the books of essential beliefs to our children is not something extra or optional; rather it is a required individual obligation.” [Teaching our Children The Beliefs of the Righteous Predecessors- pages 7-8]

This is an essential reminder for every striving Muslim mother and father, that our homeschooling efforts to teach our Muslim children are part of fulfilling the commandment of Allaah that protects our children from Hellfire.

We must remember that our directing our children towards knowledge of the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah, and understood by the first three generation and the guided Muslims in every generation after them- is the key to their true success in both this world and the next. Indeed one of the people of knowledge from the first generations, Rabee’a, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: “Knowledge is a means to every virtue” [Authentically narrated in Siyaar ‘Alaam an-Nubalaa vol. 6, page 90] By this intending Sharee’ah knowledge.

We ask Allaah to make us of those who understand the importance of giving precedence the Sharee’ah knowledge over other types of knowledge, as it is what enables us and our children to distinguish between truth and falsehood, between the worship of Allaah alone from the worship of others, and between what is the pure Sunnah from what is innovation and so called “improvements and renovations” to the perfect house of Islaam. And the success is from Allaah alone, and I close with His praise.

Abu Sukhailah Khalil Ibn-Abelahyi Safar, 5, 1436

Brother Abu Sukhailah chose the winner using the same software Rafflecopter, Alhamdulillaah,

Aisha Karim

Congratulations to you sister Aisha. Please contact Taalib Educational Resources via service@taalib.com with your postal address within one week from today. Inshaa Allaah all 8 books of Everyday Arabic Series will be posted to you.

The Give away starts on Monday 24th November 2014 and end on Wednesday 26th November 2014

Each person who enters the giveaway must share one of my Everyday Arabic Books Review Posts or links with at least 5 of their contacts and let me know that you have done so by commenting below this post

Each person who enters this Giveaway must like Taalib Al Ilm Educational Resources Facebook page if you have a facebook account and/or follow them on Twitter and let me know that you have done this by commenting below this post (If you do not have facebook or twitter accounts no problem, you do not have to do this)

This Question & Answer Sentence book has images of camping gear along with their colors in both English and Arabic in color coded sentences.

The first page has the chart of camping items for revision and to keep track of the vocabulary.

The is yet again a very informative book as it talks about camping items and their use in the form of questions and answers. Camping is interesting and talking about it is fun too! This book includes items such as fish basket, compass, skinning knife, multi tools, rope, camp stove, etc.

Actually great to learn English vocabulary too as it have a comprehensive list of camping items.

At the end of the book you get few activities for the kids to test their learning.

To enhance the learning and make it fun you can use this Camping theme activities with the kids. (please avoid using any un islamic materials from the above link). If you live in a place where camping is possible the best thing to do would be taking the kids on a camping adventure. Maimoonah has never gone camping yet, and I would love her to experience this Inshaa Allaah.

If your kids are enrolled in islamic scout programs or girls club this book could be very handy where the kids learn the items in Arabic. We were actually thinking to have some camping fun in our Tarbiyah Class at least get the girls to camp just outside in backyard and give them that experience. If we do so then this book will help us as well Inshaa Allaah.

How else could you use this book with your kids? Share your ideas Inshaa Allaah.

This ends the review of all 8 books Alhamdulillaah. The Giveaway will start tomorrow and end on Wednesday. Please look out for the next post and enter the Giveaway! Share it with others too Inshaa Allaah!

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